Clamp for plant-forcing devices.



C. H. ALLENDER'. CLAMP FDR PLANT FORCING DEVICES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, 1915.

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Patentedfiept. 4, 191?.

3 nuewifoz CHARLES HENRY ALLENIDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLAMP FOR PLANT-FORCING DEVICE S.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented dept. a, 19ft.

Application filed June 25, 1915. Serial No. 36,198.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HENRY ALLENDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Plant- Forcing Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to so-called plantforcers, that is, small devices that can be set over growing plants or seedlings to protect the same from frost and cold, on the hothouse principle, so that the planting can be" done earlier, or the plants caused to grow faster, or both. More particularly the invention relates to clamps for use in plantforcers, and consists of a clamp by which two sheets or plates of fabric of proper stiffness, preferably panes of glass of suitable size, can be securely and safely held edge to edge in the form of an inverted V, the clamp or clip being also preferably adapted to serve as a handle for lifting and carrying the device. This form is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 shows in perspective a series of plant-forcing devices arranged end to end over a series of plants.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the plant-forcing devices.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred from of my improved clamp.

The sheets or plates A are usually made of transparent glass, but if the device is to be used only at night (as a protection against frost) they may be of suitable opaque material, as thin boards or heavy cards. The clamp is preferably made of stiff spring wire, a single piece being bent to the form shown, with its ends securely joined in any convenient manner, as by means of a ferrule B into which the ends are fitted, and, if desirable or necessary, soldered. In the form illustrated the clamp has two clips C at each end, arranged. in inverted V-form and joined at the bottom bytransverse members D and by longitudinal members E. The latter are bent outwardly, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, for convenient grasp between the fingers and thumb in handling the device. In this connection it will be observed that when the handle members are grasped the pressure thereon will press the outer members of the clips, C, C, more firmly against the glass, thereby causing the clips to hold the glass with a grip firm enough to prevent the glass from sliding down. The cross members D, D effectually prevent collapse of the clips when the clamp is grasped as described. It will also be observed that the edges of the glass are separated at the top, thus providing ample ventilation. The width of the opening can be varied as desired by bending the clips toward or from each other, the minimum width being produced when the clips overlap at the top, as shown in Fig. 2.

It is to be understood that the invention 1 is not limited to the construction herein specifically illustrated and described, but can be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit.

I claim:

1. A spring clamp for the purpose described comprising two separated pairs of upwardly and inwardly inclined clips adapted to straddle the upper edges of glass sheets or plates arranged in inverted V-form, connected inside at their bottoms by transverse members, and outside by longitudinal members adapted to afford convenient grasp for the hand in lifting and carrying the device.

2. A spring clamp for the purpose described comprising a pair of downwardly open spring clips arranged in inverted V- form and connected at the bottom by a transverse bracing member to oppose movement of the clips toward each other at the bottom, a similar pair of clips spaced from the first pair and in registry therewith and connectgel to the first pair by longitudinal meniers.

3. A spring clamp for the purpose described comprising a single piece of spring wire bent to form two registering spaced pairs of spring clips C, the clips of each pair being arranged in inverted V-form, trans verse bracing members D, D, integral with and connecting together the two clips of each pair at the bottom thereof, and longitudinal spacing members E, E, integral with and connecting the outer members of one pair of clips to the outer members of the other pair.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

CHARLES HENRY ALLENDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

